July 3,4,5,11,12,18,19,25,26,28-August 2, 2008
83rd Annual Volunteer Fireman’s Carnival
7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Rides, games, food, live entertainment, raffles, and much more. Fun for the whole family. Every Friday & Saturday in July. NO SUNDAYS. Proceeds benefit the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department.
Click here for more information
July 4, 2008
Old-Fashioned Fireworks Display At Carnival Grounds
Celebrate Independence Day on Chincoteague---10:00 p.m.
July 30 & 31, 2008
83rd Annual Pony Swim & Auction
Sponsored by the Chincoteague Vol. Fire Co. The Swim & Auction are always held on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July.
The July 30th swim can be viewed from Memorial Park located on East Side Road. The July 31, 2008, auction is held at the Carnival Grounds located on South Main Street.
Auction hours: 8:00 a.m. – Noon
Pony Swim Schedule
Pony Swim Day
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
For parking and shuttle bus information - click here (includes map with bus stops) Between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (the time can not be predicted exactly - dependent on tide, currents, and readiness of ponies) ponies swim
Assateague Channel at Chincoteague Memorial Park - east side of island. No charge by Fire Co. for parking (at High School - click here) or seeing ponies swim. After a brief rest, ponies are herded to Carnival Grounds.The first colt to come ashore in the pony swim (King or Queen Neptune) will be given away at the carnival grounds. Time to be announced. You must have a ticket. You must be present to win.
6:30 p.m. - Entertainment on stage.
7:30 p.m. - Carnival attractions.
11:00 p.m. - Entertainment on stage.
(Entertainment schedule subject to change)Auction Day
Thursday, July 31, 2008 - Pony Penning, Auction of Ponies8:00 a.m. to 12 noon - Auction of Ponies (yearlings or younger) owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Co. Carnival attractions after the auction.6:30 p.m. - Entertainment on stage
7:30 p.m. - Carnival attractions.
11:00 p.m. - Entertainment on stage.
(Entertainment schedule subject to change)
Extend your trip to Friday. Ponies swim back to Assateague. Time to be announced.
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Friday, August 1, 2008
Ponies return to Assateague - Time to Be Announced
7:30 p.m. - Carnival opens - carnival attractions.
11:30 p.m. - Entertainment on stage.
(Entertainment schedule subject to change)Saturday, August 2, 2008
7:30 p.m. - Carnival opens - carnival attractions.
At the closing of the Carnival on August 2, drawings for the following prizes:A New Harley Davidson Motor Cycle
Handmade Chincoteague Pony Quilt
Boat, Motor, and Trailer
Separate tickets required for each drawing. You do not have to be present to win.
For more information please check the Chamber page or the The Beacon page
Auction Information
Eighty five ponies were auctioned off Thursday, July 27th ,2001. the average selling price was about $2000. One horse went for $10,500. The Chincoteague Fire Department made more than $166,000 from the auction. The auction helps keep the herd size to about 150 horses. That is the maximum number that the government says can be supported on the grazing lands in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague. Click here for Auction pictures. The auction starts at 8:00AM sharp, get there early to get a good seat (6:30 to7:00AM).
Be sure to bring sun protection and water, soda and water is sold at the event. A folding chair is good to have if you get there late. There is no registration for the auction, so be sure not to accidentally make a bid, if you do you will have to find a way to get your horse home in an approved horse trailer and you have to pay by cash, Visa or Mastercard.
Call or email the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce for more information: (757) 336-6161
